Bill Text: AZ HCR2051 | 2023 | Fifty-sixth Legislature 1st Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Ben Shelly; death resolution
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-06-13 - Transmitted to Secretary of State [HCR2051 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2023-HCR2051-Enrolled.html
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House Engrossed
Ben Shelly; death resolution |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2051 |
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A Concurrent Resolution
on the death of ben shelly.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Ben Shelly, former Navajo Nation president, passed away on March 22, 2023 at the age of 75.
Born on July 6, 1947, Ben Shelly grew up in Thoreau, New Mexico. He is of the Tó'aheedlíinii clan born for Ts'ah Yísk'ídnii. When he was born, he was told by elders that he would be a great leader, which would later come to fruition.
Ben Shelly lived in Chicago, Illinois for 16 years, training in heavy equipment maintenance and working as a supervisor for a heavy equipment company. Focused on transportation, he moved back to the Navajo Nation in 1976 where he owned a fleet maintenance and mechanic shop. Mr. Shelly entered public life in 1990, serving as chairman of the Dineh Rights Association. He went on to become a Navajo Nation Council delegate beginning in 1991, serving on the Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations Committees and chairing the Budget and Finance Committee where he helped to establish the Navajo Veterans Trust Fund with more than $80 million. With the foresight he was known for, Mr. Shelly also campaigned for legalized gambling in Navajo areas. He later served as a McKinley County commissioner, concentrating on his area of expertise: transportation.
An innate leader, Mr. Shelly helped form a Native American coalition of officials from Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, giving them greater negotiating power. He served on the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Tribal Technical Advisory Group, leading efforts to amend Medicaid laws to ensure that a Certificate of Indian Blood could be used to verify U.S. citizenship. A fierce supporter of his people, he represented the Navajo Nation in budget discussions and formulations for federally funded programs, led a delegation in consultative budget deliberations with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and worked with the New Mexico state legislature and governor's office to fund capital improvement projects on the Navajo Nation.
A bold and courageous trailblazer known for his passionate speeches, Mr. Shelly was elected Navajo Nation vice president in 2006. At the time of his selection, his running mate, Joe Shirley, Jr., said "he is down to earth and knows the heart of the people." In 2010, Mr. Shelly won the election for president, becoming the first New Mexican Navajo to become president and the first sitting vice president to ascend to the presidency. Mr. Shelly had extensive knowledge of the Navajo Nation's finances and an intricate understanding of the financial needs and challenges of each of its executive divisions. He led the Navajo Nation with an agenda of economic prosperity, infrastructure, open government, health and education.
Placing an emphasis on energy and technology, during his tenure as president Mr. Shelly signed an agreement with two renowned United States Department of Energy laboratories, approved the first solar farm on the Navajo Nation and renewed a major energy lease. During this time, the Navajo Nation also adopted a comprehensive energy policy, replacing a previous policy enacted in 1978. Mr. Shelly made technology a priority with the creation of a data center and the deployment of a fiber network across the Navajo Nation. He was influential and active in state and national politics, including serving as an advisor to the United States Department of Homeland Security and working closely with tribal leaders in asserting sovereignty, nationhood for tribes and progressive development.
Remembered for his great sense of humor and love for his community and family, Mr. Shelly's experience and career prepared him with the knowledge, tools, insights and understanding to serve exceptionally well as vice president and then president of the Navajo Nation. He built his reputation on advocating for ambitious infrastructure projects, policies focused on public health and methods of boosting the Navajo people's economic status. His legacy of commitment and passion earned him the respect of all who had the opportunity to know and work with him.
Ben Shelly is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha, five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature express their regret at the passing of former President Ben Shelly and extend their deepest sympathies to his surviving family members.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE MAY 15, 2023.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE SENATE JUNE 13, 2023.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 13, 2023.
